Mysteries of ’molecular machines’ revealed

A picture of a membrane protein called cysZ determined with Phenix software usin
A picture of a membrane protein called cysZ determined with Phenix software using data that could not previously be analyzed.
Scientists are making it easier for pharmaceutical companies and researchers to see the detailed inner workings of molecular machines. "Understanding how all these machines work is the key to developing new therapeutics, for treating genetic disorders, and for developing new ways to make useful materials." EMBARGOED for Monday, December 22, 11 a.m. Eastern Time - Phenix software uses X-ray diffraction spots to produce 3-D image. LOS ALAMOS, N.M. Dec. 22, 2014—Scientists are making it easier for pharmaceutical companies and researchers to see the detailed inner workings of molecular machines. "Inside each cell in our bodies and inside every bacterium and virus are tiny but complex protein molecules that synthesize chemicals, replicate genetic material, turn each other on and off, and transport chemicals across cell membranes,” said Tom Terwilliger, a Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist. "Understanding how all these machines work is the key to developing new therapeutics, for treating genetic disorders, and for developing new ways to make useful materials. To understand how a machine works you have to be able to see how it is put together and how all its parts fit together.
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